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Just a Game

Recently my family was asked to do a lighthearted interview on a Chicago morning news show. We are former Chicagoans who live in Tampa now. We are huge hockey fans who support the home team. Just so happens Tampa and Chicago are facing off in the hockey finals. The anchors wanted to have a little rivalry fun with us over Skype. I thought, morning TV, hockey… sounds harmless! But nowadays being on TV is just the beginning. It’s no longer a one-and-done deal. Your fun 3 minute interview about a sports rivalry then gets posted to social media with the tagline “Unacceptable.” Now all of a sudden those complete strangers are now dissecting and deciphering what we “really” meant, what type of role models my husband and I are for my kids and our moral fiber. Really people, it’s just a game!

Ugh. It really struck a nerve. Reading through some of nasty things people wrote turned something fun into something that felt downright bad. Don’t get me wrong. I get it. For one reason or another, someone will find a reason to project their insecurities, their negativity, and their fears onto you and your life, and you’ll have to deal with it. But come on people. It’s just a game!

Grow Up!

Would it have made a difference if the person who posted it to Facebook would have spun the interview in a positive way instead of “Unacceptable?” I don’t know, but it’s certainly something to consider. We all have a responsibility when it comes to the way we share information, but more importantly we have a responsibility when it comes to the way we react to it. I’m not blaming anyone for changing the perspective of the interview because at the end of the day it is up to the individual to decide how they react. This isn’t a lecture on what you should or shouldn’t say. Rather taking a minute to decide how something is being served. The media drives the narrative in this country, but you have the power to translate. And THAT is not a game.

Her name means “light” and that is what she is… high energy, bright and fast. And yes… she does run regularly. While we’re not sure what she is running from (perhaps her two young kids) we know she’s covered a ton of ground. She was the Executive Producer for an award winning and number one rated morning show in Tampa for years. And now, she uses her unique blend of organization, storytelling and curiosity to help Mad Bear clients find their stories. Think of her as an architect, a story architect.